May 04, 2016

Barry Legge

Barry Legge grew up in Winnipeg. By the time he reached the junior leagues, the Winnipeg Jets were the talk of the hockey world. While they weren't in the National Hockey League, they offered an exciting alternative with Bobby Hull and an influx of European talent.

So it should come as no surprise that Legge opted for the World Hockey Association over the NHL.

Although he was drafted 61st overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 1974, Legge turned pro with Michigan-Baltimore of the WHA. However WHA teams dropped like flies in those early years. Soon Legge found himself in Denver, Ottawa, Cleveland and Minnesota before finally finding some stability in Cincinnati in 1976.

Despite losing some prime development time because of his constant moving and change of coaches, Legge developed nicely in Cleveland. From 1976 to the league's eventual demise in 1979 Legge played a quiet, greatly underrated role. He was a journeyman defenseman who worked hard, giving everything he had. Despite his work ethic and defensive commitment, Legge was at best a 4th or 5th defenseman, even in the WHA which featured generally weaker blueline corps than the NHL.

When the WHA folded in 1979 and the remaining teams joined the NHL, Legge found himself playing for two ex-WHA teams - Quebec in 1979-80 and - finally - his native Winnipeg Jets in 1980-81 to 1981-82. It wasn't the best of times for Barry though. He split his NHL time with time in the minor leagues. He also was limited to less than 40 games each NHL season by injuries.

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